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Proteas have a shot: Abrahams

Cape Town - Former off-spinner Shafiek Abrahams believes there are enough experienced heads in the Proteas setup for them to have a chance of winning the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy in England and Wales.

Coach Gary Kirsten has played down the team's chances, especially with Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis absent.

However, Abrahams - a national selector who played one ODI for South Africa in 2000 - believes the time is right for the team to spring a surprise or two.

"We’ll miss Jacques Kallis’ and Graeme Smith’s experience but we also haven’t won anything with them, trophy wise,” Abrahams told the City Press website.

“Maybe the young guys who are coming into the team seeking to establish themselves are going to play with a bit more freedom, and with cool and calm heads.

“There’s still some experience with the likes of AB de Villiers, Alviro Petersen and Hashim Amla. They will bring that and calmness to the top order.”

Abrahams said the Proteas will always be in with a shot in any competition, regardless of their past exploits.

“South Africa has never gone into a tournament without being one of the favourites and one of our strengths has always been our ability to compete in any competition. We have a chance of winning this year.

“To win, we’ll need to find two or three batsmen who must be in good form. We’ve got all these good players, but how they deal with pressure will be up to the individuals. The batsmen will need to realise they have more time in the 50 overs and, as the bowler, you have to stay patient.

The Proteas take on the Netherlands in a warm-up match in Amstelveen on Friday, before also facing Pakistan at London's Oval next Monday.

They start their Champions Trophy campaign against India in Cardiff on June 6. Their other group stage opponents are Pakistan (June 10, Birmingham) and West Indies (June 14, Cardiff).

Proteas squad for the ICC Champions Trophy:

AB de Villiers (Titans, captain), Hashim Amla (Cape Cobras), Farhaan Behardien (Titans), JP Duminy (Cape Cobras), Faf du Plessis (Titans), Colin Ingram (Warriors), Rory Kleinveldt (Cape Cobras), Ryan McLaren (Knights), David Miller (Dolphins), Morne Morkel (Titans), Alviro Petersen (Highveld Lions), Robbie Peterson (Cape Cobras), Aaron Phangiso (Highveld Lions), Dale Steyn (Cape Cobras), Lonwabo Tsotsobe (Highveld Lions)
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